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Eye tests urged before heading to school

Despite the World Health Organisation estimating that 80% of UV exposure takes place between the ages of 0-18, one in five parents have admitted that they aren’t taking the necessary precautions to protect their children’s eyesight.

A recent study by Transitions Optical found that 24% of parents questioned have not had their children’s eyes tested before they reach 8 years old. According to the experts this is the critical time-period for diagnosing eye problems.

“Children are particularly susceptible to UV eye damage, especially under 12s whose clear lenses aren’t yet fill formed, allowing harmful rays to reach and damage their retina,” optometrist Lindsay Brown said. “If children’s eyes are left unprotected, this can lead to long term eye health problems including cataracts.”

Parents also admitted that eye tests are at the bottom of their ‘back to school’ list, causing experts to urge them to prioritise their children’s eye health with the same importance as going to the dentist or doctor. “There seems to be a lack of understanding about eyesight. I would urge parents to take their children to see an optician at around the age of 4, or even before, as problems detected this young can be corrected more easily,” advised Karen Sparrow, from the Association of Optometrists.

Yes, eye tests are so important for young kids going back to school. VSP has put together more information on how to prepare children for eye exams here: https://www.vsp.com/cms/edc/articles/getting-kids-ready-for.html - Liz @ VSP

You definitely can't mess with your eyes. Having poor eyesight myself we took our nearly 5 year old to my opticians at the opticians request for his preschool eye test. The optician was brilliant. He told DS exactly what he was going to do and when he was going to do it. he also let my husband and myself sit in with DS while the test was going on.

My daughter is almost 6 years old, and she is to get glasses next week. It has only been spotted that she needs them, through the nurse check towards the end of her first school year. I feel she has been missing out, as there is no family history of glasses, so we had no need to suspect that she would need an eye test. She may have been finding it hard to read things in school, but now she'll be getting glasses for starting back in September.

Hi all . Would definitely agree with this ! Have 2 dd - Tried to get eldest tested at age 3 or 4 at a "Well known" high street opticians as she was complaining of not being able to see well - were told that children didn't need eyes tested until 5 , so we waited , she had test at school , but results were delayed so on friends recommendation took her to a small opticians firm , also took her 2 yr old sister -

Thank goodness we did- my eldest was fine ( apart from being dissapointed at not having glasses lol!!!!) But they found my 2 year old could barely see out of one of her eyes and had a squint !!!! We hadn't known anything was the matter - referred to hospital and now has glasses for long sightedness and a patch to try to correct the bad eye - she is just 3 and has coped with it all brilliantly , but do feel guilty at times that if hadn't taken my eldest the first we would have known about youngests problems would have been in reception - almost 2 years away !!!!

Anyway , essay over , but would really really recommend all children get checked out - tests are free ( our optician was great and used pictures etc ) we don't have any immediate family history so wouldn't have got checked out as matter of routine !